Honda HR-V Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Honda HR-V model year (2016–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Honda HR-V Years to Avoid
1 recall · 444 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Problem score: 449
5 recalls · 181 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 198
1 recall · 148 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 171
Best Honda HR-V Years to Buy
0 recalls · 3 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 3
0 recalls · 33 complaints
Main area: STEERING
Problem score: 56
3 recalls · 56 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 69
Found the right year? Verify that specific HR-V with a free VIN report.
Honda HR-V — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 33 | 4 | 3 | 56 | Good |
| 2024 | 3 | 84 | 9 | — | 111 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 444 | 1 | — | 449 | Avoid |
| 2022 | 3 | 72 | 2 | — | 85 | Good |
| 2021 | 3 | 48 | 7 | — | 71 | Good |
| 2020 | 3 | 56 | 2 | — | 69 | Good |
| 2019 | 5 | 181 | 1 | — | 198 | Caution |
| 2018 | 2 | 92 | 6 | — | 110 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 78 | 2 | — | 82 | Good |
| 2016 | 1 | 148 | 10 | — | 171 | Caution |
All 11 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Honda HR-V Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent HR-V models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 3 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade HR-V units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year HR-V should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2023 Honda HR-V if possible. It has 1 recall, 444 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 449 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year HR-V to buy?+
The 2026 Honda HR-V is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 3. It has only 0 recalls and 3 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which HR-V has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2025, 2020 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Honda HR-V Research
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Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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